Developing a
Greenhouse
Control
Specification
growlink
TM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction..............................................................................................................3
The Importance of Control Specifications......................................................4
Requirements for Successful Control Specifications..................................12
Determining Your Control Specification Needs ..........................................14
Picking the Right Control System .....................................................................17
Growlink: Your Greenhouse Control Solution...............................................19
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 2
INTRODUCTION
Having a greenhouse control system in place is critical, but developing
comprehensive greenhouse control specifications is even more
important. Control specifications should be crafted to be clear,
concise, and accurate, ensuring that all stakeholders can execute them
and reap the rewards of an efficient greenhouse operation.
In this e-book, we’ll discuss the importance of control specifications,
the different requirements for successful control specifications, how
to assess your control specification needs and outcomes, and more.
This guide not only reflects what a top-of-the-line greenhouse control
system is capable of, but also reflects the standards and expectations
of growers.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 3
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTROL
SPECIFICATIONS
Greenhouse control systems offer a unique set of tools built for
the management and upkeep of growing operations. These robust
control solutions offer a high level of optimization to meet the
demands of dynamic greenhouse environments, which, when
properly implemented and executed, can enhance and increase crop
yield, boost operational and energy efficiency, and ensure safety.
Some of the main components that a greenhouse control system
manages include:
Irrigation
Nutrient delivery
Lighting systems
Shade and thermal curtains
Heating and cooling systems
Humidity levels
CO2 supplementation
Tank management
Climate settings
Heat storage
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 4
With most greenhouse operations, these endless variables are
managed by the grower or greenhouse manager—not maintenance
workers. This is why it’s crucial that all stakeholders on the
horticultural side are involved in the development of control
specifications and performance expectations for each system used.
Conventional Building Controls vs.
Greenhouse Controls
Although computerized greenhouse controls and conventional
building control systems have a lot in common, they are not
interchangeable. Why? Building controls are designed to manage air
temperature and ventilation for humans, while greenhouse control
systems are designed to manage air temperature and ventilation—
and countless other variables—to facilitate plant growth.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 5
“BUILDING CONTROLS ARE
DESIGNED TO MANAGE AIR
TEMPERATURE AND VENTILATION
FOR HUMANS, WHILE GREENHOUSE
CONTROL SYSTEMS ARE DESIGNED
TO MANAGE AIR TEMPERATURE AND
VENTILATION—AND COUNTLESS
OTHER VARIABLES—TO FACILITATE
PLANT GROWTH.”
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 6
Greenhouse control systems are much more powerful than
conventional building controls because they allow for the
management of even the most minute of biological growth
specifications. With a robust control system, a greenhouse
environment can be manipulated from the crop’s point of view. Herein
lies the power of a control system: Because needs vary from crop to
crop, this high level of precision management allows you the ability to
customize everything from humidity and air temperature to nutrient
delivery and irrigation. With a greenhouse control system, you can
even program specialized equipment, such as CO2 systems and
roof/wall vents, reversing motors, fans, shade curtains, and more for
maximum efficiency.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 7
Greenhouse Controls as a Framework
Greenhouse control specifications provide a framework that allows
the grower to exercise complete control over a growing operation,
from monitoring conditions inside the greenhouse to using the
information to optimize the growing environment—typically
through a smart control solution. With thoughtfully crafted, easily
implementable greenhouse control specifications, you’ll be able to:
Exercise control by effectively optimizing the growing environment
Ensure repeatability and consistency of variables and yields
Control expenses and establish efficiency by analyzing
recorded data
Avoid disease, pests, and other preventable negative outcomes
Before we launch into creating control specifications, there are several
definitions to understand as part of developing a greenhouse control
specification framework.
“GREENHOUSE CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS
PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK THAT ALLOWS
THE GROWER TO EXERCISE COMPLETE
CONTROL OVER A GROWING OPERATION.”
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 8
Control Points: Output control points comprise equipment that
operates as a singular entity. Some examples of output control points
include:
Digital: These have only two positions (on/off ), and an example of
a digital control point would be a single-speed circulation fan or
irrigation valve.
Analog/proportional: This equipment is operated through signals
on a range of fully open/on or fully closed/off and is typically used
with variable speed electric motors, making it more expensive than
a tri-state/floating solution.
Tri-state/floating: With three positions—open, closed, and
stopped—these relays offer safe reverse motor controls for
equipment such as shade curtains or roof vents.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 9
Sequence of Operations: Most greenhouse control systems come
with a guide to best practices and operational strategies, which have
been formulated based on years of implementation. This sequence
of operations addresses how equipment is meant to work in order to
reach a control objective based on fluctuating external conditions—
based on the expectations of a greenhouse operator. Imagine an end
user is manually controlling a grow operation, reacting in real time to
the constantly changing greenhouse conditions. These expectations
are what inform how a greenhouse control system is meant to work
and what the sequence of operations should look like. Additionally,
it’s important to record and assess the desired physical sequence
of operations for all equipment in order to be prepared for any and
all situations (e.g., how the shade curtains should react and operate
during the event of a heavy snowfall).
Pro Tip: Greenhouse controls operate through a system of
actuators and sensors. Simply put, sensors read or sense
something and actuators do something about it. Sensors are
usually connected to a switch that activates the actuator. For
example, if a sensor detects that CO2 levels are too high, a fan
(the actuator) will respond by turning on to circulate air.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 10
“GREENHOUSE CONTROL
SYSTEMS ARE MUCH
MORE POWERFUL
THAN CONVENTIONAL
BUILDING CONTROLS.”
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 11
Sensors: One of the most powerful components of a greenhouse
control system is the network of sensors that monitor and manage
the environment to maintain optimal conditions. Some of the primary
sensors you can find in a growing operation include:
Air
Sensors that monitor air temperature and humidity, CO2
levels, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) play an important
role in maintaining a consistent and predictable greenhouse
environment. It’s important to properly monitor CO2 levels
through sensors, making sure CO2 is properly distributed
throughout the growing operation in order to boost yields
and crop quality.
Light
Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is important to
monitor because increasing the PAR range can boost plant
photosynthesis, which is the most important process for
growth. Sensors that assess the amount of light in the
greenhouse 24/7/365 will ensure that plants receive the right
light at the right time for optimal growth.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 12
Soil
There are countless variables that soil sensors keep to ensure
the desired soil temperature, pH levels, water content (WC),
and electrical conductivity (EC). EC measures the amount of
salts in a system, which connects directly to the amount of
nutrients dissolved in the water.
Food
Sensors that manage nutrient dosing ensure that all of the soil
levels are at their most optimum because they can prompt
the addition of different nutrients in order to move EC and pH
levels to optimum levels.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 13
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL
CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS
In order to establish successful control specifications, your operation
needs to be up to date with industry standards and designed with the
latest greenhouse control advancements in mind. Currently, industry
best practices include:
Wifi connectivity and secure access
Remote, cloud-based device access via an app
A dedicated, secure networked system
Complete automation
Your grow controller must also be able to regulate environmental
variables including:
Air temperature
Air moisture (humidity) levels
Lighting
Ventilation
CO2 concentration
Nutrient delivery
Irrigation
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 14
Another consideration is finding a system that focuses on data-
powered agronomy. This type of solution actively collects and
analyzes data in order to create a smarter, automated solution in order
to maintain the perfect growing environment. These data points can
be analyzed with the intended goal in mind, whether that is plant
production, scientific research, or conservatory maintenance. Having
a solution that uses data in order to pivot the operation on a dime to
ensure higher yields and greater efficiency is vital.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 15
“IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH
SUCCESSFUL CONTROL
SPECIFICATIONS, YOUR
OPERATION NEEDS TO
BE UP TO DATE WITH
INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND
DESIGNED WITH THE LATEST
GREENHOUSE CONTROL
ADVANCEMENTS IN MIND.”
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 16
DETERMINING YOUR CONTROL
SPECIFICATION NEEDS
In order to determine your control specification needs, start by
assessing your operation’s specific needs and correlating outcomes.
Checklist: What Do You Need to Control?
Ventilation: Stagnant air is not good for plant growth, so
ensuring air is constantly circulating during daylight hours
is key. Also, ventilation exchanges potentially harmful moist
greenhouse air with drier air from outside, which helps
stabilize humidity levels, too.
Humidity: When humidity levels are high (i.e., above 85
percent), plants demand less water, which can impair
photosynthesis and damage growth.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 17
Irrigation: Too much—or too little—water can make or break
the quality and yield of your crops. Having a controllable
irrigation system, which allows for the evaluation of the
quality of water, is of utmost importance to any grow
operation.
Air temperature: Maintaining the appropriate greenhouse
temperature is crucial, especially when outside air is pulled
in and needs to be brought to the correct temperature
for optimal growing—and to avoid a buildup of moisture,
humidity, and condensation.
Nutrient management: When nutrients are unbalanced,
harmful toxicities or deficiencies can occur. Also, sometimes,
plants need specific nutrients at peak stages of reproductive
or vegetative growth.
CO2 control: Plants use a great deal of carbon dioxide, so
low levels can hinder growth. CO2 supplementation has been
shown to boost plant growth.
Lighting: This is probably the most important component
of developing plant life. Being able to adjust light according
to time of day and season is critical to ensuring a consistent,
quality yield.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 18
Checklist: What Are Your Desired Outcomes?
Improve quality of yield
Create predictable, repeatable processes
Lower fuel costs
Maximize resources
Increase productivity
Ensure safety
Remove human error
Boost efficiency
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 19
PICKING THE RIGHT
CONTROL SYSTEM
Vendor Requirements
When looking for the right greenhouse control system, be sure to
select a company that is able to provide case studies and reviews
that report on the successful implementation of the solution at
greenhouses of similar size, crop, and complexity. Also, the vendor
should offer upgrades and modifications for at least a year, if not
longer, as well as 24/7/365 customer support for all hardware and
software components of the control system.
Product Requirements
The right control system must offer a robust solution with all mission-
critical features. Consider these features carefully while picking a
control system solution:
The product should be secure, with multi-level
password protection.
The product should scan all sensors with extreme
regularity (i.e., once every few seconds at least).
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 20
The product should allow for each controller to operate
independently from others, and unique zones should also be able
to operate independently from one another.
The product should be able to collect and transfer data and events
to a long-term storage location (e.g., the cloud).
The product should automatically back up all data and settings at
least once daily, and settings should be able to be easily restored if
the system goes down or is out of service.
The product should meet all CSA or UL electrical standards and be
CSA/UL approved.
The product must be scalable for an increase in capacity, such as
the addition of sensors or control outputs.
The product must have a dedicated power source that doesn’t
interfere with other equipment loads.
The product must be built for horticultural environments.
The product must be customizable for your unique greenhouse
operational needs.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 21
GROWLINK: YOUR GREENHOUSE
CONTROL SOLUTION
Growlink’s suite of greenhouse control systems were built for the
complete control, management, and upkeep of grow operations.
Growlink’s control systems allow for intelligent, real-time monitoring
and data analysis that can increase output and reduce crop loss.
With a focus on smart solutions, your grow operation can become
optimized to produce better crops and greater yields. Furthermore,
understanding what impact your grow operation equipment has on
the greenhouse environment—and what impact that environment
has on the equipment—can help you maximize resources, labor, and
more. For example, if the HVAC system kicks on, knowing how long
it takes for the greenhouse to get to the right temperature means
being able to evaluate energy consumption and make the appropriate
adjustments—whether through controls or upgrading equipment—in
order to become more energy efficient.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 22
Additionally, the Growlink app allows you to control the grow on the
go by setting rules and letting Growlink do the rest. As the ultimate
command center, the Growlink app connects directly to all linked
devices in your control system, allowing for the management of every
operation variable, from air temperature and humidity to cameras and
data collection.
AI and Machine-Learning
Growlink’s control systems are now at the forefront of intelligent
greenhouse solutions by overriding automation and freeing growers
from the rules engine. The future of intelligent greenhouse control
systems has arrived with Growlink Plant Health AI, which uses AI,
machine learning, sensor data, and computer vision to track and
predict plant health. Plant Health AI BETA harnesses the collective
knowledge and experiences of Growlink users to help agronomists
plan with greater precision—and it delivers 95 percent accurate
supply forecasts to your sales and purchasing teams.
Developing a Greenhouse Control Specification 23
growlink
TM
About Growlink
Founded in the fall of 2015, Growlink’s greenhouse control solutions
have been implemented by thousands of people and farms around
the world to produce more food with fewer resources.
We are an agricultural technology (“agrotech”) company that connects
growers to their operations. We build well-designed, tightly integrated
hardware and software products that enable you to work smarter—
not harder. With Growlink’s advanced AI controllers, you can increase
product quality, maximize yields, save energy, conserve water, and
more. We deliver wireless automation and control, data collection,
monitoring, optimization, and visualization—all on a single platform.
The smartest cloud-based controllers available.
Growlink
875 Kalamath St.
Denver, CO 80204
800-432-0160
info@[Link]